Control system and apparatus for lamps



Dec. 17, 194

Filed April 29., 1943 W. A. PENNOW CONTROL SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR LAMPS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .JAJ.

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M39 F v 12 .I Q B as WITNESSES: 47 624W 2 I I I Dec. 17, 1946. PENNQW 2,412,907

CONTROL SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR LAMPS Filed'April 29, 1945 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I WITNESSES: INVENTOR 54 I ////3 i f flfl 01M.

.jeeted.

Patented Dec. 17, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

CONTROL SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR LAMPS 'Willis A. Pennow, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pitts burgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 29, 1943, 'Serial N0. 485,021

13 Claims.

attempts have not been entirely successful as large and cumbersome auxiliary equipment has .beenrequired and, in inostinstances, it has been necessary to use a separate water supply for cooling purposes.

In' many instances it is necessary or desirable to usesuch lighting apparatus in the open and .under all weather conditions. Attempts to use cooling liquids havin g low, freezing points have not met with success iorthe reason that such liquids undergo chemical changes, due to the high short-wave emissions of such light ,sources of lamps, and either depositsolids on the lamp and cooling jackets thus greatly reducing the light output, or decompose to such extent that .the freezing point is raised to a point where protection against freezing isno longer afiorded.

Accordingly, .it is an object of my invention,

generally stated, to provide apparatus for con- .trolling and cooling a liquid cooled lamp, or the like, which shall be of simple and-economical construction, and which shall-function to automatically control the energization of the lamp in accordance'with the temperature .of thecooling liquid and also maintain the cooling liquid within a proper range of operating temperatures regardless of, the'weather conditions to which it is sub- A more specific object ofmy invention is to provide a self-contained control and cooling controller unit for usewith liquid-cooled lamps.

Another object of my invention is to, provide a self-contained controller unit forliquid-cooled lamps embodying the necessary electrical control apparatus for controllingthe energization of the --1arnp and zaclosed circulating system including a reservoir-radiator compartment provided with heating 'means to maintain the temperature of the cooling liquid above the freezing point.

,Afurther objector-the invention is to provide a plurality of spaced vertical fins l8 on tus is so interlocked with the circulating system that the lamp can be energized only when the cooling liquid is within its proper operating temperature range and the proper flow maintained and which shall function at all times to prevent the cooling liquid from freezing,

Another object of my invention is to provide a controller of the character described in which watermay be used as the cooling medium without danger of freezing and which does not require a separate or outside source of water supply. These and other important objects and principles of my invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of one embodiment thereof when read'in conjunction with the drawings in which: A

Figure .1 is a side elevational view of a controller embodying the principal features of my invention, certain parts being broken away and others shown in section to illustrate details, and

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuits and apparatus and the circulating system of the controller-0f Figl showing its cooperative relationship with the lamp.

My invention will be described asit may be applied to a light unit in the form of a searchlight projector suitable for use in determining ceiling heights for airports although it is tobe understoodthat its use is not so limited. In this instance, the projector is mounted on the controller to provide a unitary assembly ready for.

connection to a current source.

Referring to Fig. 1. of the drawings, the controller is indicated generally by the numeral and the searchlight or projectorbyl l. The controller comprises a housing or casing 12 of weathture "is formed by the transverse members ll .produce'a transverse flow 1 off the ,gcooling liquid whileheat radiationis from vertical surfaces. The radiator I5 may also be provided with the face thereof. A I j The projector H comprisesiabody'or drum 2| mounted on the housing l2 by means of atubularconnector 22, andmlprovided with a hinged door '23, including a lens 24, attachedrto the drum by means of a hinge ZS and a plurality of 3 spaced clamps 26. A main reflector 21 is mounted at the bottom of the drum.

The liquid-cooled lamp 28 of the type having a water jacket 28a, is mounted within the drum in sockets 29 and 30 supported by the metal tubes 3| and 32 forming a part of the circulating system. These tubes function to carry the cooling liquid as well as electric conductors for the energizing circuit of the lamp. The lamp and tubeassembly is supported by means of a spider 33 carried by an adjusting screw 34 rotatably mounted on a boss 35 on the winding of the connector 22.

The tubes 3| and 32 arefconnected to the other parts of the circulating system'within'the housing by flexible tubes 36 and 31 and are connected to the control circuits and apparatus within the housing by conductors 38 and 39 attached to the lower ends of the tubes as shown. In this instance, the projector is also provided with a secondary reflector 4| supported by a holder attached to a bracket 43 mounted on the socket 29. A door switch 44 is provided as a part of the control circuit and connected therewith through a conductor cable 45. y Referring againto the controller In, the circulating system' also includes a motor-operated circulating pump 46 comprising, a motor 4'! and pump 48, mounted within the housing I2 and connected in the circulating system as shown in I Fig. 1. The intake port 49 of the pump is connected to the bottom of the radiator-reservoir through a suitable nipple so as to draw cooling liquid from the lower part of the radiatorreservoir while the outlet port 52 is connected to the lower end of the flexible tube 31 so that the cooling liquid is circulated up through the metal tube 32, through the jacket of the lamp, down through the other metal tube 3| and through 'the flexible tube 36 into the top of the radiator through another control device which will be described hereinafter in connection with Fig. 2.

In orderto provide for maintaining the temp rature of the cooling liquid above a predeter- "mi'rie'd. minimu'mvalue, or above freezing temperature, the controller is also provided with ence toFig.2.

Referring to Fig: 2 of thedrawings, there is shown a diagrammatic view of the control cirand makes possible the operation of the lamp and other devices.

The start and stop switches 55 and 56 are for the purpose of manually controlling the operation of the lamp 28 and are accessible through the dooropening of the housing,

When the main switch 54 is'closed; the main conductors '69 and of the controller are energized. The lamp 28 and the various switches and relays of the system are energized from these conductorsinresponse to the operation of the start switch 55.

The lamp 28 is energized from conductors 69 and 16 through a step-up transformer H having its secondary winding 12 connected to the lamp terminals and its primary winding 13 connected to conductors 69 and 10 through contact cuits and apparatus embodied in the controller :of Fig. 1, including the lamp 28, motor operated pump 46 and other devices which have been described in connection with Fig. l.

Within the controller housingthere is mount- -ed a main circuit breaker 54, start and stop push button switches and 56, a control relay 51,

pair of such switches and 66 may be mounted outside of the housing if desired for remote control purposes.

The main switch 54 is for the purposeof connecting the controller to a source of current which, in thisinstance', is designated by the conductors 6'! and 68. When the main switch is closed, it energizes the circuits of the controller members 58a of the control switch 58.

In order to assure that the proper flow of cooling liquid is circulating through the lamp before it is energized, the 'flow switch is connected in the circulating system as shown, and is provided with contact members 60a'which must be closed beforethe control switch 58 can be energized to connect the primary winding 73 of the transformer to the energized conductors 69 and 10. g

The electric immersion heater 53 referred to in connection with Fig. 1 is controlled by the thermal switch 63 which functions to energize -the heater when the temperature of the cooling liquid decreases below apredetermined value. The energizing circuit for theheater extends through" the normally closed contact members 51a of the control relay '5! and, therefore, it is apparent that this circuit may becompleted at any time this relay is in its normal deenergized position. 5

' The thermal switch 64 functions in response to the temperature of-the cooling-liquid'exceeding a predetermined value to energize auxiliary relay 62 through the contact members 51a of the control relay for the purpose of eifecting 'deenergization of the lamp 28 and'maintaining the motor-operated pump 46 in operation.

The thermal relay 63 also controls the operation of auxiliary relay 6| which closes its contact members em to maintain the motor-operated pump 46 in operation and opens its contact members filb to deenergize the lamp and to prevent energization of the lamp in the event that the temperature of the cooling liquid is below a predetermined value as determined by the setting of relay 63.

In the operation of the system, when the start switch. 55 is closed, an obvious energizing circuit for the control relay 5'! is established. The

ductor 16, normally closed contact members 620 and the armature of motor 41 to conductor III.

This initiates the operation of the circulating pump 48 which establishes a "flow of cooling liquid through the circulating system and the waterjacketof the lamp 28.

As soon as the flow attains a predetermined volume, the flow switch 60 operates to close its contact members 60a to establish an'operating circuit for the control switch 58, This circuit extends from conductor 10 through conductor 11,winding of switch 58, door switch 44, contact 'member- 60a, contact members --6lb, 1 contact members 62a, conductors "l8 and 19,- contact membersiiic, conductor 16,; stop switch 56?, conductor 75; contact members 51b ;.and. conductor Mite conductor. 69.! Atl-this time, contact mem-. bers 51b of the control relayt 511are closed asv the startsswitch 55. isheld closed until thelamp is lighted;

The closure of controlswitch 58 energizes the primary winding 13 of the. transformer through acircuit extending from conductor 69 through.

conductor. 81, contact members 58a, primary winding 13,. winding. of. the auxiliary relay 59,

. will function'toenergize the. heater 53 as -de-- scribed hereinbefore and also the auxiliary relay El to close anenergizing circuitfor the pump motor 4! from conductor 69through contact and conductor 82 to conductor 18. Contact mem-.

here 581). of control switch58b are alsoclosed at thistime but are not effective until after the closure of auxiliary relay 59.

In the'cvent that the-lamp 28 is in normal operating condition,- sufiicient current. will flowthrough the primarywinding 13 to efiectoperation ofthe auxiliary relay-59 causing its contact members 59a to-be closed, -The. closure of the Itwill now be noted that this circuit depends for its' continuity upon several operating conditions Since it contains contact members 58a and-58bof the control switch 58, which is under the control of the flow switch 58, it will be interruptedin the event that the volume of flow of cooling liquid decreases below a predetermined value, Likewise, since it-contains contact members' 59a-of auxiliary; relay '59,- it will be interrupted in theevent that the lamp 28 fails or something occurs which causes an abnormal current to-fiow through the primary Winding 73 of the transformer, This circuit also contains contact "member 620 of auxiliary relay 62, which is under the control of the thermal relay 64, so that it will be interrupted in the event that the temperature of the cooling-liquid exceeds a predetermined-value. The normally closed stop switch 56 is alsoin this-circuit and is effective to interr-upt itat will of the operator.

This is the normal operating condition of the circuits. In the event that the temperature of -the"c00ling liquid exceeds a predetermined value; it isdesired to discontinue operation of the lamp -28 andcontinue the operation of the motor-operatedpump 4B in order that the coolingliquid will be circulated and cooled. This is effected. through the operation of therma1 relay 64'and auxiliary relay was referred to hereinbefore.

As soon as relay 62 is energized, its contact members 620 open the main energizing and holdir-ig; circuit just described, and deenergizes the controlswitch 58 and'transformer H, and its contact members 621) are closed to establish a new energizing circuit-for the pump motor 41. This circuit extends from conductor 69 through conductors 8| and 83, contact members 521) and armature ofthe motor 4'! to conductor 10. This circuit will maintain the motor in operation until suchtime as the thermal relay 64 opens to deenergize relay 52.

The reclosure of contact members 620, however,-willnot elfect a re-energization of the lamp for the reason that auxiliary relay 59 has opened its contact members 59a and these contact members cannot be closed untilthe start switch 55 has again been actuated to energize the control liquid above the freezing point. possible to utilize water as a'cooling liquid which relayw5T toagain start'themotor operated pump and; bring about the operation of" the contro switch 58 as described hereinbefore.

In the event that the'temperature of the 0001- ing liquid decreases below a predetermined value,

either during the time the lamp 28is inoperation or i not in operation, the thermal relay 63 members 57a of the control relay, contact members Elaand 62a to conductor 10.

When relay BI is energized, its contact members tlb are opened and since these contact members are in series with the contact members 66a of the flow switch 60 in the energizing circuit of the control switch 58, his apparent that the control switch 58 cannot be energized to energize the transformer H during the time the auxiliary relay 6| is energized. This prevents the energization of the lamp 28 by operation-of the start switch 55 in the event that the -temperature of the cooling liquid is too low'and also automatically deenergizes the lamp in the event:

sponsive to the temperature of the cooling liquid in the reservoir-radiator.

In view of the foregoing description of the apparatus and operation thereof, it will be ap& parent that my self-contained controller is par ticuiarly adapted for use with searchlights or.

light projectors which i are located at remote points and are subjected to either constant "or intermittent operation without constant attendance.

the controller and its associated projector could be controlled by means" of the remote start and stop switches 65 and 66.; The controller remains energized atall times and can be exposed to adverse weather conditions forthereason that the thermal relay 63, immersion heater 53 and the motor-operated pump function automatically to maintain the temperature of the cooling isfthe cheapest and most satisfactory cooling medium for lamps of this kind.

The thermal relay 64 which responds to excessive temperatures and the flow switch 60 provides the necessary protection for the lamp re gardless of whether the controller is controlled by anattendant through operation of the start andstop switches 55 and 56 or is controlled from creased utilization of the-high efliciencies and. light output of .theliquid-cooled light sources. The controller is so constituted as to properly control the, operation of the lamp and protectit at all times against damage from abnormal opcrating conditions. In view of the fact that the.

controller embodies. a self-contained circulating system including a reservoir-radiator, it requires.

noseparate source of cooling liquid,

While Jihave disclosed a specificembodimenm of'my invention, it will be apparent to those One example of an application of this. kind is for the measurement of ceiling heights at airports which may beunattended, in which event This makes it skilled in the art that other modifications thereof may be made without departing from the principles of the invention as disclosed.

. I claim as my invention: 1. In combination, a liquid-cooled lamp, means including a motor operated pump for circulating cooling liquid through the. lamp, means for initiating operation of the motor-operated pump to establish a flow of cooling liquid, an energizing circuit forthe lamp, means including a control switch responsive to the volume of flow of cooling liquid for controlling the said energizing circuit of the lamp, whereby the lamp is energized and de-energized in accordance with the volume of flow of cooling liquid, and temperature-responsive means operable to de-energize the control switch to de-energize the lamp in the event that the temperature of the cooling liquid exceeds a predetermined maximum value.

2. In combination, a liquid-cooled lamp, a. system for circulating cooling liquid through said lamp, said system including a reservoir-radiator and a motor-operated pump, control switch means operable t energize the motor-operated pump, an energizing circuit for the lamp, switch meansincluding a control switch responsive to the flow of coo-ling liquid for closing said energizing circuit to effect energization of the lamp, an electric heater device mounted in said radiator-reservoir, an energizing circuit for said heater, thermal switch means operable in response to a predetermined minimum temperature of the cooling liquid for closing the energizing circuit of said electric heater, and relay means responsive to the closure of said thermal switch means operable to cause said switch means to open the energizing circuit for the lamp and to establish an energizing circuit for the motoroperated pump. I

3. In combination, a liquid-cooled lamp, a system for circulating cooling liquid through said lamp, said system including a reservoir-radiator and a motor-operated pump, an energizing circuit for the pump, control switch means operable to close said energizing circuit for the motoroperated pump, an energizing circuit for the lamp, switch means responsive to the flow of cooling liquid operable to close the lamp energizing circuit, an electric heater device mounted in said radiator-reservoir, an energizing circuit for said heater, thermal switch means responsive to a predetermined minimum temperature of the cooling liquid for closing said energizing circuit of said electric heater, and additional thermal switch means responsive to a predetrmined maximum 1 said controlswitch also being operable to estab-'-' lish an auxiliary energizing circuit for the pump to permit release of said switch means, a flow switch operable in response to a predetermined volume of flow of cooling liquid to effect energization of the control switch to effect closure of the energizing circuit of the lamp, and thermostatic switch means operable to effect deenergization of the control switch and to establish another auxiliary energizing circuit for the motor-operated pump in response to a predetermined increase in the temperature of the cooling liquid, thereby to efiect 'deen'ergization of the lampand maintain the pump in operation.

5. In combination, a liquid-cooled lamp, a circulating system for cooling liquid connected to said lamp, said circulating system including an electrically-operated pump, circuit means for connecting the lamp to a current source, said circuit means including flow switch meansv responsive to volume of flow of said cooling liquid and control switch means controlled thereby, circuit means for controlling the operation of the electrically-operated pump, said circuit means including manual switcnmeans operable to initiate operation of the pump and additional switch means responsive to a predetermined maximum temperature of the cooling liquid operable to deenergize the control switch means and to establish an auxiliary energizing circuit to maintain the electrically-operated pump in operation until.

the temperature of the cooling liquid decreases below said predetermined value.

.6. In combination, a liquid-cooled lamp, a

liquid for connecting the primary winding of the transformer to the current source, and second relay means responsive to the flow of current through the primary winding of the transformer operable to establish a holding circuit for maintaining the electrically-operated pump and first relay means energized to permit the control switch means to be released.

7. In combination, a liquid-cooled lamp, a

transformer having its secondary winding connected to the lamp and its primary winding disposed for connection to a current source, a circulating system for cooling liquid connected to the lamp, said system including an electrically-.- operated pump and a flow switch, an energizing circuit for the electrically-operated pump, control switch means operable to close said energizing circuit to effect the energization of the electrically-operated pump, first rela means responsive to the closure of the flow switch in response to a predetermined volume of flow of the cooling liquid for connecting the primary Winding of the transformer to the current source, second relay means responsive to the flow of current through the primary winding of the transformer operable to establish a holding circuit for maintaining the electrically-operated pump and first relay means energized to permit the control switch means to be released, and means responsive to the increase in temperature of the cooling liquid operable to deenergize said first relay means to dis-- connect the primary winding of the transformer from the current source.

8. In combination, a liquid-cooled lamp, a. transformer having its secondary winding connected to the lamp and its primary di g dis-- posed for connection to a current source, a circulatingsystem for cooling liquid connected to the lamp, said system including an electrically-operflow of the cooling liquid, second relay means responsive to the flow of current through the primary winding of the transformer operable to establish a holding circuit for maintaining the electrically-operated pump and first relay means energized to permit the control switch means to be released, and means responsive to the temperature of the cooling liquid operable to open the energizing circuit of the first relay means for preventing energization of said first relay means in response to the closure of the flow switch in the event that the temperature of the cooling liquid is below a predetermined value.

9. A self-contained controller for liquid-cooled lamps comprising, a housing having a back wall, a dish-shaped member attached to said back wall and forming therewith a reservoir for cooling liquid, a circulating system including connections for attachment to the lamp and said reservoir, a motor-operated circulating pump mounted within the housing for circulatin the cooling liquid through the circulating system, a control switch mounted within the housing operable to control the energization of the lamp, a flow switch mounted within the housing and connected in the circulating system for controlling the operation of the control switch in accordance with the flow of cooling liquid, manually-operable switch means mounted within the housing for controlling the energization of the motor-operated pump, and temperature responsive switch means also mounted within the housing for controlling the energization of the motor-operated pump independently of the manually-operable switch means.

10. A self-contained controller for liquid-cooled lamps comprising, a controller housing provided with a hinged door and having a back wall, a dishshaped radiator housing attached to the back wall and forming therewith a radiator-reservoir for cooling liquid, a circulating system connected with the radiator-reservoir including a, plurality of conduits disposed to be attached to the lamp and a motor-operated circulating pump, a control switch mounted within the housing operable to control the energization of the lamp, a flow switch connected in the circulating system for controlling the operation of the control switch, an electric heater mounted within the controller housing to extend into the radiator-reservoir, and a thermal switch mounted within the controller housing for controlling the energization of the heater.

11. A self-contained controller for use with a liquid-cooled lamp comprising, a box-like controller housing having a radiator-reservoir compartment for cooling liquid, a circulating system including a plurality of conduits for attachment to the lamp and a motor-operated pump mounted within the housing and connected tothe radiatorreservoir compartment, an electric heater mounted in said compartment for heating the cooling liquid, circuit means for connecting the motor-operated pump and heater to a current source, and thermal responsive control means mounted within the housing operable to control said circuit means to control the energization of the heater and motor-operated pump in accordance with predetermined temperature conditions of the cooling liquid.

12. A self-contained controller for use with a liquid-cooled lamp comprising, a box-like controller housing having a radiator-reservoir compartment, a circulating system including a motoroperated pump mounted within the housing and connected to the radiator-reservoir compartment, circuit means within the housing operable when energized to initiate operation of the motor-operated pump, a control switch mounted within the housing operable to control the energization of the lamp, an energizing circuit for the control switch, a flow switch disposed in the circulating system operable to close said energizing circuit for the control switch in response to a predetermined flow of cooling liquid, and thermal switch means operable in response to predetermined temperature conditions of the cooling liquid to interrupt the energizing circuit for the control switch and to maintain the circuit means for the motor-operated pump energized so as to maintain said pump in operation.

13. A self-contained controller and cooling unit for use with liquid-cooled lamps comprising, a box-like controller housing having a front door and a back wall, a lamp energizing circuit within the housing disposed for connection with the lamp, a dish-shaped housing secured to the outside of the back wall and forming therewith a radiator-reservoir, a liquid circulating system including an electrically-operated circulating pump and a flow switch mounted within the controller housing and connected to the radiator-reservoir, said circulating system havin inlet and outlet connections extending outof the controller housing for connection to a lamp, a control switch mounted within the housing responsive to said flow switch for controlling said lamp energizing circuit, an electric heater mounted within the controller housing in heating relation. with the cooling liquid, a thermal switch mounted within the controller housing for controlling the energization of the heater, an energizing circuit mounted within the controller housing for the electrically-operated pump, switch means operable to close said energizing circuit to initiate the operation of the pump, and relay means within the housing controlled by said thermal switch for initiating operation of the pump independently of said switch means.

WILLIS A. PENNOW. 

